Koyra-Betgram Road becomes unfit for vehicular movement

A CorrespondentKhulna: The Koyra-Betgram Road in Khulna has become unfit for vehicular movement due to lack of repair, much to the sufferings of the people of the region bound for home on the occasion of Eid.A number of drivers and commuters said 50 kilometer stretch of the 60 km road under Roads and Highways Deportment (RHD) in the district has remained in dilapidated condition causing road accidents almost every day.In recent time, a bus loaded with passengers met an accident at Kachikata point of the road leaving two people dead and 20 others injured.In another incident, a truck turned turtle after falling into a pothole on the road killing its helper.Besides, incidents of overturning of unauthorized vehicles Nasimon-Korimon are taking place frequently on the road due to its decrepit state.As a result, local people are increasingly falling prey to the road accidents.Drivers of different passenger and goods-laden vehicles said it takes seven to eight hours for them to cross the shabby road which is usually supposed to take three hours.Sources at RHD office in Khulna said of the 65-kilometre road stretching from Betgram to Koyra upazila via Tala and Paikgachha, 25 kilometers area of the road from Tala to Mahmudkati is in worst state.Public movement through the road is hampered during rainy season as the nearby Kobadak River overflows it.For this, work is currently going on to increase height of the road.During visit, the correspondent found that potholes have developed on about 13 kilometer stretch of the road from Koyra upazila headquarters to Chand Ali Setu (bridge).The condition of the 27 kilometres area of the road stretching from Paikgachha to Betgram is so vulnerable that vehicles have to cross the portion of the road amid risk of accident.Line secretary of Bus-Minibus Owners’ Association, Khulna division, Sheikh Zahidul Islam said passengers are to undergo immense sufferings while crossing the road since development works on the road has hanged in the balance.With the onset of the rainy season, the road has become unfit for vehicular movement, he said, adding that this year, traffic movement on the road remained suspended for some days with the start of the monsoon.He, however, said traffic movement resumed as the authorities began repair works on the road dumping sand into it to keep smooth vehicular movement during Eid.“But, drivers are to operate vehicles amid high risk of accidents,” he added.Contacted, officials of RHD office in Khulna said repair work has already begun on the portion of the road from Betgram Zero point to Tala to restore vehicular movement.The RHD officials expressed hope that they would be able to complete repair work on the whole road before Eid.